Who says you can't get anywhere with a journalism degree?
Sarah Palin got hers 21 years ago, from the University of Idaho. She became mayor of Wasila, Alaska, and governor of that state. Now, she's John McCain's choice to be vice president, becoming the first woman ever on a national Republican ticket.
McCain's choice was a surprise. Just about every commentator agrees about that.
There's disagreement about whether the choice was an act of genius or an act of folly.
Of course, Palin offers more than a degree in journalism (from a program that's not currently accredited, by the way, the same as North Dakota's).
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She's pretty, bright, savvy and tough. She's been a giant-killer in Alaska politics, defeating two former governors to win the office for herself.
Her record as a reformer seems solid. She's an opponent of abortion and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, so she appeals to social conservatives and gun owners.
She's got a husband who's a union member and five children, including a baby in arms. The baby has Down syndrome, and she knew that during her pregnancy. His name is Trig Paxton Van Palin, honoring the rock band Van Halen.
She hunts moose and catches fish.
Plus, she's been a beauty queen.
All of this gives her a kind of frontier mama persona that's attractive pretty much across the boards -- and might just amount to charisma.
She's young, too, just 44. That makes the average age of the Republican ticket 58, compared with 56 for the Democratic ticket of Obama and Biden.
So a bold choice, certainly. But a smart one?
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I don't think so. It seems to me that the choice makes a McCain win less likely than it was just a few days ago.
The choice runs against two of the pillars of McCain's campaign so far, and it casts some doubt on his personal character and judgment.
Most critically, it destroys a key charge against Barack Obama, that he lacks the experience to be president. Palin's resume doesn't suggest that she's ready to be president, either. As the Associated Press reporters who covered her work in Alaska said in their report Saturday, "She has more experience catching fish than dealing with foreign policy or national affairs."
Second, the choice undercuts McCain's assertion that he doesn't act politically. Palin is a crudely political choice designed specifically to appeal to constituencies that were skeptical of McCain's own record. The most recent similar choice occurred in 1960, when John Kennedy called on Lyndon Johnson because he wanted to placate Southern voters.
The breadth of Palin's appeal might also be questioned. Women who supported Hilary Clinton probably won't be won over, and her union credentials probably aren't strong enough to win many of those voters. Her outlook on issues seems pretty narrow. For example, she denies that global warming is a consequence of human activity, a position that suggests humans can't do anything about it, either.
McCain's choice also emphasizes a frequent criticism of him, that he is impulsive. It also calls his loyalty into question.
McCain and Palin have never worked together, and he's met her only a few times. Clearly, the choice was recommended by political advisers rather than by personal experience.
In choosing Palin, McCain overlooked both friends and allies.
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Among potential candidates, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed McCain early and stuck with him through an uncertain campaign. Tom Ridge, former governor of Pennsylvania and the first Homeland Security secretary, was an old friend.
Pawlenty had drawbacks, to be sure. He's been a divisive figure in Minnesota politics, and he narrowly won re-election two years ago.
McCain's flirtation with Pawlenty probably strengthens the Minnesotan politically, perhaps even setting him up to be a presidential candidate someday.
He'll have to contend with Sarah Palin, who could become the first woman vice president. Even if I'm proven right and McCain is not elected, the campaign has given her more visibility and credibility than journalism graduates normally expect.
